Robert Wald Sussman

Robert Wald Sussman (1941-2016) was an American anthropologist and professor at Washington University in St. Louis, known for his research on primate behavior, human evolution, and the history of anthropological thought. His work focused particularly on lemur ecology and social systems in Madagascar, where he conducted extensive field studies. Sussman authored influential publications challenging Social Darwinist interpretations of human nature, including "The Myth of Race: The Troubling Persistence of an Unscientific Idea" (2014). His research demonstrated that cooperation, rather than competition, was a key factor in primate and human evolution. Throughout his career, Sussman served as editor of American Anthropologist and president of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. He received multiple research grants from organizations including the National Science Foundation and the Wenner-Gren Foundation. As a professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology, Sussman mentored numerous students and contributed significantly to the understanding of primate social behavior and the development of modern anthropological methods. His work continues to influence discussions about human nature, race, and evolution in contemporary anthropology.

Reader reviews focus heavily on Sussman's book "The Myth of Race," with fewer reviews of his academic publications. Readers valued: - Clear explanations of complex scientific concepts - Thorough documentation and research citations - Balanced treatment of controversial topics - Accessibility for non-academic readers Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style in some sections - Repetitive points across chapters - Limited coverage of contemporary race issues On Goodreads, "The Myth of Race" maintains a 4.2/5 rating from 175 reviews. Amazon reviews average 4.3/5 from 89 ratings. One reader noted: "Sussman methodically dismantles racial pseudoscience without sensationalism." Another commented: "The historical analysis is strong, but the modern implications needed more development." His academic papers receive frequent citations in anthropology journals but have limited public reviews due to their specialized nature.

The Myth of Race (2014) A comprehensive examination of how race concepts developed historically in Western science and society, tracing these ideas from the Middle Ages through modern times while demonstrating their lack of scientific validity.

Frans de Waal focuses on primate behavior and social intelligence, with extensive studies of chimpanzees and bonobos. His research emphasizes cooperation and empathy in primates, challenging competitive models of evolution.

Sarah Blaffer Hrdy studies evolutionary perspectives on human behavior with emphasis on mother-infant relationships and cooperative breeding. Her work examines the biological bases of human social systems through both primate studies and anthropological research.

Richard Leakey conducts research on human origins and evolution in East Africa. His fieldwork and publications focus on fossil evidence and interpretation of early human development.

Dorothy Cheney specialized in the study of baboon social behavior and communication in their natural habitat. Her research revealed complex social relationships and cognitive abilities in non-human primates.

Matt Cartmill examines primate evolution and the development of human anatomical traits. His work includes critical analysis of anthropological theories and the history of evolutionary thought.